Here's proof of the pain everyone is feeling ... prices are rising at fastest.

Qantas hopes 350 - or five per cent - of its cabin crew will take up voluntary redundancy.

The road toll is at its lowest in more than 30 years - and high fuel prices are partly responsible.

Soaring petrol prices were a key factor behind a 0.8 per cent rise in the consumers' price index (CPI) in the March quarter.

The pressure on ruling powers to hand out more goodies to the people will ultimately have to be paid for.

In just four weeks, Air New Zealand's earnings outlook has turned to custard.